Comcast, NBC Deal Still Faces Obstacles

By

Sam Schechner,

Shira Ovide and

Jeffrey McCracken

Updated Oct. 5, 2009 12:01 a.m. ET

A deal to merge General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal into a new joint venture with Comcast Corp.'s cable networks might solve pressing needs for both companies. But a number of financial and legal issues still hang over the talks, which are still at an early stage.

While both sides hope to complete a deal, people familiar with the matter give the transaction "50-50" odds of coming together.